RAMS RFC put on a show in front of a record crowd as they defeated Richmond in their final National One home match of the campaign.
Rams ran out as 19-13 victors – a result which extends the Berkshire side’s long-standing record of not losing the final Old Bath Road fixture of the season since 2013.
Yet things did not go entirely to plan for the hosts, Richmond leading 8-0 at the break thanks to a Lewis Dennett penalty and Callum Torpey try before debutant Mikey Duda – yellow carded for bring a maul down in the first stanza – got Rams on the board two minutes into the second period.
Fraser Honey knocked over the extras only for Torpey to double his tally, but Max Hayman’s 25th score of a prolific campaign was followed by Charlie Robson’s match-winner, skipper Honey completing the scoring with a terrific touchline conversion.
Commenting on a hard-hitting and competitive tussle, director of rugby Seb Reynolds said: “It was a nuanced contest, there was the battle up front – Ryan (Lomas) and Paddy (Harris) did a fantastic job against two very big props who have had dominance in recent weeks, but I could see our guys getting on top of them before we brought James (Baker) and Ant (Marris) on, and then they really took it to them, which was great.
“I enjoyed the first half, I thought both teams had intent and it wasn’t a boring contest, it was just a feeling out patch and the physicality and I’m glad we fronted up.
“It felt like they came here to disrupt, and I don’t feel we allowed that to happen, which made it a very good encounter.
“There was some physicality and venom in the game and that was good – they brought it with their hits, their verbals and it adds to a top contest.
“But our guys rose to it and rose to the challenge at half-time, going on to get the job done in the second half.”
First-time starter Duda caught the eye from the outset with a trio of trademark big tackles inside the opening five minutes, and the DoR was delighted with how the teenager went.
He continued: “Mikey was great and brought his natural game – it was all we wanted him to do.
“He wasn’t overawed by the occasion – sometimes when everyone at the club, all your mates are so happy for you, it can sap your energy – but he just brought his normal style.
“He created a huge impact in the game because he was constantly in the tackle zone, chopping down their 12 Dave Massey – whose been so good in recent weeks – and full credit to him on his debut.”
Alongside his youthful side, the DoR was also proud of the support from the sidelines as he continued: “It was a great crowd and thank you to everyone who came along.
“The home games have been fantastic this year, we’re building a great atmosphere and now we need to push it on and create something truly special for the future.”
Despite a compelling victory, Chinnor’s 52-0 success at Birmingham Moseley secured the title for the Thame men, and Reynolds ended by congratulating Nick Easter’s side on their triumph.
He closed: “They’ve been superb, they’ve kept a strong side together and after a slightly slow start to the season they’ve just got stronger and stronger.
“They had a good win against us before Christmas which took them to the top of the league and they’ve never looked back, they’ve thoroughly deserved it and the scorelines they’ve racked up – 80-odd points, 50, 60, – they went to Plymouth and Sale and got the wins when we didn’t and those are the places to win National One, and full credit to them.
“We wish them all the best in The Championship next year.”
By Richard Ashton
